| With visuals having come to play a dominant role in | | | | related to the size of the ink drops. Each pixel on an |
| any kind of publishing task, the printing quality of images | | | | inkjet printer, for instance, is not a single drop of color |
| has become matter of concern, research and | | | | but a cluster of many tiny drops. |
| development. The process of producing a final image | | | | So how does printing of color images happen? Color |
| that is faithful to the original picture in terms of color | | | | printers create images by dividing a page into |
| and tones is called photographic printing and the | | | | thousands, or even millions of tiny dots, each of which |
| process involves the preparation of a photographic | | | | can be addressed by the computer. Color printers use |
| negative that can be reproduced on sensitized paper. | | | | what is known as a subtractive process that uses |
| Conventionally, the process comprises three major | | | | three primary colors - cyan, magenta and yellow. Most |
| steps that are carried out in a photographic darkroom | | | | printers also use a separate black color to provide a |
| or within an automated photo printing machine. This | | | | deeper black than is obtained by mixing the primaries. |
| includes the exposure of the image on the sensitized | | | | Together, they help in the printing of the image. By |
| paper using a contact printer or enlarger, processing of | | | | leaving a spot blank, or by using one or more of the |
| the latent image through a chemical immersion process | | | | three subtractive primaries on a single dot, a printer |
| and toning of the print with additional chemical | | | | can create eight primary colors. |
| processes. Photo printing can either be in monochrome | | | | There are many printers available and the choice of a |
| (black and white) or in color. | | | | particular one would depend on the quality of final |
| Photo printing essentially depends on the device or the | | | | output required. Liquid inkjet printers are known as the |
| printer chosen for the final output. But prior to choosing | | | | low-cost entry point for personal printing and |
| a printer, it is important to understand how to view a | | | | low-volume color printing. Where quality is of |
| color print. To begin with, when the picture is viewed, | | | | paramount importance, dye sublimation printers are |
| the brightness and color of the light should be the | | | | used. The "dye" refers to the process of using solid |
| same as that under which the picture is being seen. | | | | dyes instead of inks or toners and "sublimation" is the |
| This may not be a practical option at all times but one | | | | scientific term for a process where dyes are |
| must remember that viewing conditions directly affect | | | | converted into a gas without going through an |
| the way a picture looks. For example, a color print | | | | intervening liquid phase. Solid inkjet printers are |
| viewed in daylight will appear slightly bluer than the | | | | preferred for producing reports and publications with |
| same print viewed in tungsten light such as a | | | | color graphs or other graphics on ordinary paper. They |
| household bulb. | | | | can also be used to produce high-quality |
| The next step is to choose the right photo printer. | | | | transparencies at low cost. |
| Today, such is the technological advance made in this | | | | However, color laser printers are the ones most in |
| sector that a color print obtained from a good printer is | | | | demand nowadays and these have not only |
| almost the same as a print made with traditional | | | | revolutionized black and white printing but made |
| photography. This is also because of the wide choice | | | | desktop publishing possible. A laser beam is focused |
| of papers, inks and processes that are available. When | | | | on a photoelectric belt or drum, creating an electrical |
| choosing a color printer, the best way to know about | | | | charge in areas where the toner is to adhere. The |
| its performance is to print one of your own images on | | | | charged toners adhere to the belt. This is a one-step |
| a variety of them and then compare the results. What | | | | process for black and white printing. In color printers, |
| is important is to understand the theory of printer | | | | the cartridge has to print the same thing over and over |
| resolutions even though this may not be the final | | | | for each color: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. |
| determining factor of color and quality. Resolution is | | | | |
